UK Government marks 30 years of International scholarships
Chevening Programme finances graduates with potential to be influential leaders and decision makers to study postgraduate courses in the UK
On 9th July over 500 past and present Chevening Scholars representing 118 countries gathered at Chevening House to mark 30 years of the UK’s most prestigious scholarship programme and to invite the brightest graduates around the world to apply.
The event was hosted by Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire.
The Chevening Scholarships Programme finances graduates from around the world with potential to be influential leaders and decision makers to study postgraduate courses at British universities.
The Alumni attending the 30th anniversary event included some of the most prominent people from the programme’s history including Mr Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, Prime Minster of Iceland and Dr Hania el Sholkamy, Professor - Social Research Center, the American University, Cairo, highlighting the strength of the global network the UK Government has built up through the Scholarships.
Minister of State Hugo Swire said:
“This event shows how successful the Chevening Scholarships programme has been in building relationships for the UK with decision makers in businesses and Governments all around the world.
“Following the tripling of scholarships set out by the Chancellor in his Budget, I hope this event will encourage the brightest graduates around the world to apply to study in the UK so we can continue to build mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationships.”
Chevening Alumni Nart Dohjka from Jordan said:
“Being a Chevening Scholar marks a graduate out as someone with drive and ability, and also as someone who wants to contribute to the development of their country. It offers students like me a unique opportunity to gain academic experience and at the same time to broaden our global and social outlooks. Above all, it empowers us with a sense of pride and responsibility. I believe that the role of Chevening scholars is very important in building bridges between their home countries and UK universities. In short, a Chevening Scholar learns how to be an ambassador for knowledge and for leadership.”
The event included an exhibition of the GREAT campaign to promote Britain as one of the best countries in the world to visit, study and do business with to influential decision makers from around the world.
Notes to editors:
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Scholarships are awarded to outstanding graduates with the potential to be leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in any subject and at any of the UK’s leading universities.
Chevening Scholarships operate in 118 countries worldwide, and this year - the 30th anniversary of the programme - the Scholarships will support over 600 individuals.
The Scholarships are an important element in Britain’s public diplomacy effort and bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK. The objective of the Chevening programme is to support foreign policy priorities and achieve FCO objectives by creating lasting positive relationships with future leaders, influencers and decision-makers. The Chancellor announced in Budget this year that the number of scholarships will triple and more than 1500 will be awarded each year from 2015.
Applications for the 2015/16 programme open in August 2014.
More information is available at www.chevening.org